Ink and Cookies at Chicago Printmakers Collaborative

"Ink in the City" demonstrates a number of printmaking techniques and styles. Credit: Image courtesy of CPC website

If you’ve ever wondered what exactly goes on at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, 4642 N. Western Ave., here’s your chance to satisfy your curiosity and your sweet tooth too. CPC is throwing a cookie party on Saturday, Oct. 15, to celebrate its latest exhibit, “Ink in the City,” a collaboration with the Chicago Printers Guild, at not one, but two venues.

The exhibit drew more entries from printmakers than anticipated, and “CPC only has a certain amount of space,” said Deborah Lader, director of CPC. “I thought it would be fun to find another space and put together the exhibit as a walking tour.”

Enter Hilary’s Cookies, 4917 N. Lincoln Ave. “I knew about Hilary [Black] because I’ve bought her cookies at The Grind. I walked over to meet her and discovered we have all these friends in common,” Lader recalled. “I couldn’t help but notice she has these big, blank walls.” Out of such serendipity are partnerships born.

With Hilary’s on board, the open house quickly expanded to a cookie party. The artists are even getting in on the act and making their own homemade cookies, according to Lader.

CPC will serve as the main hub of activity during the open house. Designs by printmakers at various stages in their careers, working in all types of printmaking media will be on display; visitors can also take part in demonstrations of etching and screen printing (and possibly relief printing) from noon to 5:00 p.m. “People will be able to get their hands dirty,” Lader said. From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., guests can enjoy cookies and live music by Chris Jordan. Over at Hilary’s, cookies and art will be on tap all day long, noon – 8:00 p.m.